Rebuild Penn Station, a project of the National Civic Art Society, is the brainchild of Richard W. Cameron, principal designer at Atelier & Co., and one of the original founders of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.

Rebuilding Penn Station will involve a three-stage development process that carefully takes into account the economic and technical feasibility of the restored Penn Station.

Step 1: Rebuild the grand spaces.

Step 2: Create a modern high-tech transit hub that connects the Long Island Railroad, New Jersey Transit, Amtrak, and two subway lines.

Step 3: Redevelop the area in and around Penn Station to create a world-class urban destination.

Recent Precedents for Reconstruction

There is extensive precedent for rebuilding demolished historic buildings. Germany has meticulously rebuilt most of Dresden's historic downtown core featuring splendid Baroque buildings that were destroyed in World War II. Moscow rebuilt its magnificent Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, which was destroyed during Stalin's anti-religious campaign. Most recently, Berlin has decided to rebuild the Berlin Palace known locally as the Berliner Stadtschloss, and to use the new structure as a museum and tourist venue. If there is one American building that should join this list of rebuilt treasures, it is Penn Station.

Berlin Palace

Pictured above is the Palace of the Republic that was built by East Germany upon the ruins of the Berlin Palace (Berliner Stadtschloss), which was damaged in World War II. The Palace of the Republic was demolished in 2006 to make way for a rebuilt Berlin Palace, which will be used house a modern museum containing collections of African and other non-European art, as well as two restaurants, a movie theater, and an auditorium.

Rendering of the reconstructed Berlin Palace, to be completed in 2019.

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow

The magnificent Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow took 40 arduous years until completion in 1883. The church was systematically destroyed in 1931 under orders from Stalin, and replaced with the Moskva pool pictured above. The cathedral was rebuilt in its original location and reconsecrated in 2000.

Reconstructed Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, 2000.

Dresden Frauenkirche

The Dresden Frauenkirche was a cathedral destroyed in World War II. After German reunification, it was meticulously rebuilt using as much of the rubble as possible. Since its completion in 2005, it has become one Dresden's most popular tourist destinations with millions of visitors.

Reconstructed Dresden Frauenkirche, 2005.

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